Carer couple secure payout

Settlement after false claims of assault

A foster carer couple forced to sell their home after false allegations of assault by two young people they were looking after, have reached a settlement with North Lanarkshire Council.

Diane and Karl Boyle fostered 67 children over a 17-year period, but were robbed of their livelihood when they were removed from the local authority’s carers’ register despite being cleared by a court of any wrong-doing.

The couple, from Motherwell, agreed a settlement of £25,000 with NLC just before the matter was due to go to a tribunal.

The allegations of assault were made against Diane, a devout Christian, by two teenage boys who had been in her care.

They claimed she attacked them several times in the family home, bringing about a trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court in December 2017.

Diane was cleared of four assault charges and one charge of threatening behaviour.

Witnesses on her behalf included a Sunday School teacher, a council social worker and the grandparents of the boys who made the allegations.

But Diane and Karl were removed from the foster carers’ register despite the not-guilty verdicts, with an appeal against the council’s decision was rejected.

Backed by the Independent Workers Union, they prepared a case for unfair dismissal against NLC.

The authority argued that, as foster carers, they were not employees of the council and the claim was invalid.

Diane, 53, and Karl, 59, were set to give evidence at Glasgow Tribunals Centre, but a settlement was reached shortly before the four-day hearing was set to begin.

The Boyles said they weren’t allowed to speak publicly about the outcome.

But a friend and fellow member of Motherwell’s New Craig Community Church said: “Karl and Diane are to be highly commended for the commitment they made over 17 years to many children in need of support, care and love.

“They have maintained their dignity throughout this troubling experience, where their resolve was tested to the limit and character questioned.

“I’m glad they’ve been vindicated. “It may not sound like an awful lot of money after everything they have been through, but they are glad it’s over.”

Previously Diane had said: “I was cleared in court, but the council condemned me.

“We were told by NLC we did not have the skills to meet the needs of foster children. We found that incredible given our history as carers.

“We made ourselves available to the council 24 hours-a-day for 17 years. They took advantage of that.”

Karl added: “Over many years working with the council, there were no issues over the care of the children we fostered.

“If welfare and safety of the youngsters was the main issue, why did they place so many with us over such a long period?”

A spokeswoman for the Glasgow Tribunals Centre said: “I can confirm the case has been settled.”

NLC was approached for comment, but refused to discuss the matter.